Lookout Mountain, Tn. commissioners received an update from town attorney Jeremy Cothern on ongoing negotiations with CARTA over a revised ordinance governing the Incline Railway's hours, passenger limits, and fee structure. The second and final reading of the ordinance is expected to be at the August 2026 commission meeting.

Cothern outlined changes from the version passed on first reading in April. The earlier ordinance established a 10 a.m. start time and 4 p.m. end time on weekdays except Fridays, with a 6 p.m. closing time on Saturday and Sunday. It also included a limit of no more than 500 daily passengers and set a $1 per person "Incline Fee" per passenger, with that amount planned to increase annually.

"The new proposed hours of operation would be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.," Cothern said. He also said the proposed number of people transported up and down is 1,700 per day. The attorney noted that it is recognized that the cost of tickets has increased since June 2026 and the ordinance will reflect that number. He said the town has made some concessions from the ordinance passed on first reading in April.

Cothern listed burdens put on the Lookout Mountain, Tn. Fire and Police from the over 200,000 yearly tourists that enter the city from the Incline. The town’s expenses related to emergency responders for Incline passengers is estimated to be $225,000 per year.

He said CARTA does not pay property taxes that would be used to pay the town’s expenses. He added that the town has taken care of the services without compensation for a long time.

"The ordinance is meant to cover the cost of services," Cothern said. The Lookout Mountain Fire and Police department deals with emergency medical needs of visitors, trespassing, and noise complaints. The town’s first responders are double certified in fire and police services and are staffed with EMTs and Paramedics for response to medical emergencies. Chief Dale Taylor said once emergency personnel has made contact with a patient, state laws require them to stay with that individual until an equally or better qualified responder or ambulance has arrived.

Commissioner Jim Bentley said when responders from the fire and police department are tied up with an Incline passenger, they are not available for town citizens. he said he has gotten feedback suggesting some changes to the proposed rules from the April meeting. He said the ordinance needs to have additional information to support the needs the town is requesting. The community wants to be clear that there is no intent to close the Incline.